Dolphins Cancer Challenge and American Cancer Society to Establish Cancer Health Equity Research Center at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
The partnership will provide $8.1 million in research grants to address critical cancer health disparities.
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are teaming up to tackle a crucial issue: the critical cancer health disparities faced by Hispanic and Caribbean populations.
The $8.1 million philanthropic partnership will raise funds and awareness for high-quality cancer equity research. The South Florida community is uniquely positioned to study health disparities in specific Hispanic and Caribbean populations not currently covered in the ACS portfolio.
Experts at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, have dedicated their research efforts toward these populations. Grant funding will allow Sylvester researchers and physician-scientists to develop solutions that address health disparities within these communities, ultimately driving progress toward achieving health equity.
“This partnership among the Dolphins organization, Sylvester and the ACS represents a major leap forward in the collective, relentless effort of these organizations to address the unequal burden of cancer across diverse communities in South Florida,” said Frank Penedo, Ph.D., Sylvester associate director for population sciences, director of cancer survivorship and supportive care and Sylvester DCC Living Proof Endowed Chair in Cancer Survivorship. “The knowledge generated by this partnership will continue to enhance our ability to effectively prevent and treat cancer and promote health equity in our diverse communities and beyond.”
Advancing Cancer Equity Research
Starting in 2023, ACS has established Cancer Health Equity Research Centers (CHERC) throughout the country to study barriers to equitable cancer care and define population-specific solutions. South Florida is the perfect place to study population science because of its culturally rich and diverse population. This investment will create the necessary steps for the establishment of a future CHERC at Sylvester.
Nearly two-thirds of Sylvester’s catchment area’s 6.2 million residents are considered racial and ethnic minorities. The largest group is the Hispanic population, which represents 15 distinct nationalities with variable migration patterns and socioeconomic status. Additionally, 30% of South Florida’s Black community identifies as Afro-Caribbean.
“Sylvester is uniquely positioned to study health disparities in the Hispanic and Caribbean populations. We are thrilled to incorporate this area into our ACS research portfolio,” said ACS Chief Scientific Officer William Dahut, M.D. “We anticipate the funding will stimulate novel collaborations and approaches to mitigate societal risk factors and contribute to our goals for achieving health equity and reducing cancer mortality.”
Impacting the Lives of Cancer Patients
Sharing a common mission to impact the lives of cancer patients, the DCC is honored to forge this partnership with the ACS.
“It’s exciting to welcome the American Cancer Society, a leading cancer-fighting organization, to our team,” said DCC Executive Director Javier Sanchez. “This partnership promises to support further our ‘one team, one fight’ efforts to fund lifesaving cancer research. By focusing on solutions for critical cancer health disparities, we are advancing the fight for health equity and making a meaningful difference in our community.”
Additionally, the ACS also has a longstanding partnership with the National Football League through its Crucial Catch initiative, which raises awareness for early cancer detection and risk reduction.
The Sylvester Difference
This alliance is profoundly significant, as it marks the first formal partnership directing ACS funds to designated doctors and research. The recipients of the first research grants will be announced in the spring of 2025.
“This partnership between the ACS and the DCC will provide the necessary infrastructure to enhance and expand our contribution to developing solutions that address cancer health disparities,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester, Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and executive dean for research at the Miller School. “Funding through this partnership will allow our world-renowned physician-scientists to conduct innovative, transformative and paradigm-changing research that will directly impact promoting cancer equity in South Florida and beyond.”
Sylvester being considered by the ACS as a future CHERC site speaks to the Cancer Center’s reputation.
“Sylvester has always been deeply committed to advancing health equity through innovative translational research that prioritizes community voice and collaboration,” said Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate director of community outreach and engagement at Sylvester and its John K. and Judy H. Schulte Senior Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “This partnership honors that commitment and provides a new opportunity to make necessary progress to attenuating cancer disparities.”
The partnership between the DCC and the ACS was announced during a pre-game presentation at a recent Miami Dolphins game. Representatives from the ACS and Sylvester received commemorative game balls to recognize the partnership.
Tags: DCC, dolphins cancer challenge, Dr. Erin Kobetz, Dr. Frank Penedo, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Health Equity, Sylverster Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center